432163 Spr David Pickavance MM 55th Div Sig Coy RE - 8/7/10

[Mark Abbott]

Hello all,

As some will know, I am researching the men who served with the St Helens Royal Engineers during World War One.

One of the soldiers was 7343 Sapper David Pickavance who served in France and Belgium with the 55th Divisional Signal Company RE. He received a Military Medal for bravery in April 1918, notification of the award appearing in The London Gazette on 7 October 1918.

I believe he was born in 1892 and according to the AVL, his address during WW1 was 42 Lowe Street, St Helens.

As with previous posts, I am looking for any further information for the database.

Regards to all.

Mark

Mark Abbott

[MaryA]

The only David Pickavance I find in the St Helens area in 1911 (index only) is
David Pickvance 26, Elizabeth 25, Jane 6, David 4, Mary Elizabeth 3, William 1. In the same household are Mary Pennington 57 and Richard Pennington 34.

David Pickavance married Elizabeth Houghton in Q4 1904 Prescot Register Office or Registrar Attended, so maybe a RC church.

This would appear to be the same David (16) living in 91 Grove Street, St Helens with his widowed mother Elizabeth (45) both labourers at glassworks in 1901. RG13; Piece: 3527; Folio: 68; Page: 4

[Mark Abbott]

Hello Mary,

Thanks for that. Unfortunately, his service papers do not appear to have survived and there appear to be several people of the same name who could be "my" man.

There is a David Pickavance who died in 1948 aged 55 years buried in St Helens cemetery alongside a Sarah Pickavance who died in 1976 aged 78 years.

I think another trip to the library is on the cards. I will check the papers again for info on him during WW1 but also for December 1947 and January 1948 to see if there is an obit/acknowledgment.

Does anyone have access to "The Cullet"? If he worked for Pilks, there may be a report in there.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

Mary,

Here is the answer!

The little grey cells are not what they used to be!

I do now have his medal group and will post photos and his citation in due course.

Mark

[MaryA]

I've no idea what happened Mark, I was replying to a new posting of yours about this David and when I hit the submit I got the message that the post didn't exist.

Well what went missing was that I also found another family but in Halewood, that David being born about 1900 but the one that might be more interesting, if you have the date correct is an entry in the 1911 census when I searched for David Pickavance, born St Helens, an 18 year old (born 1893) living in what appears to be the Eastry Union Workhouse, Kent.

[MaryA]

There is a David Pickavance who died in 1948 aged 55 years buried in St Helens cemetery alongside a Sarah Pickavance who died in 1976 aged 78 years.

The ages at death of these two would indicate that they may have been husband and wife -

Marriage of David Pickavance to Sarah Hayes Q1 1924 Prescot 8b 801, unfortunately no detail of LancsBMD so I can't tell you the church.

[Mark Abbott]

I am happy to report that I now have the medal group in my care. I'll post a photo and details of the citation as soon as possible.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

On the 9th April 1918, the Germans launched a major offensive against the Allies near the French town of Bethune. The 55th West Lancashire Division had on their left flank units from Portugal. Many of thes soldiers fled as the Germans advanced, leaving the flank exposed to attack. The men of Lancashire held their ground against huge odds: numerous acts of gallantry occured amongst which was that of David Pickavance.

" On the 9th April near Le Hamel, this NCO who was in charge of a party of three, laid out lines from Brigade Headquaters to 1/4th S Lan R and 1 /4th Seaforth Hghrs inspite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire, when it was extremely important that telephonic communication should be maintained.
On 12th April being in full view of the enemy and being under MG fire and sniping, the same party laid out new lines and maintained communication to 1/4th S Lan R.
From 11th to 14th this NCO was in charge of the linesmen at Brigade Forward Station LES GLATIGNIES and during the 4 days was largely rsponsible for the way in which communication was maintained throughout the battle."
The party mentioned in the citation had amongst it's members432151 Sapper William Atherton from Prescot and 32835 Pte A M Maxwell 1/5th R Lanc Regt. Atherton received a bar to his MM and Crosbie the MM.

[Mark Abbott]

I was wondering if anyone has a photo of Lowe Street?

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

David Pickavance's medals. From left to right:

Military Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

[daggers]

I was wondering if anyone has a photo of Lowe Street?

Have you tried the helpful people at the St Helens Local History Library?
D

[Mark Abbott]

Richard

I am hoping to visit on Friday!

Can't wait

[Mark Abbott]

The only David Pickavance I find in the St Helens area in 1911 (index only) is
David Pickvance 26, Elizabeth 25, Jane 6, David 4, Mary Elizabeth 3, William 1. In the same household are Mary Pennington 57 and Richard Pennington 34.

David Pickavance married Elizabeth Houghton in Q4 1904 Prescot Register Office or Registrar Attended, so maybe a RC church.

This would appear to be the same David (16) living in 91 Grove Street, St Helens with his widowed mother Elizabeth (45) both labourers at glassworks in 1901. RG13; Piece: 3527; Folio: 68; Page: 4

Mary, I can't find this chap on the 1911 Census. I can only find one who is serving with the Royal Marines and one who is too young for WW1 service.

Do you have an address for the "David" you found?

ATB

Mark

[MaryA]

Sorry, at the time I found this I was only able to check the index, pity you didn't ask when we had the free access during the England matches.

Just realised that perhaps you are searching for PickAvance - try using the spelling I used PICKVANCE. I think you will find it then.

[Mark Abbott]

Mary

Thank you! I would never have searched for PickVance. Again, my lack of experience in the family history world is showing!

David Pickavance and his family lived at 5 York Place , St Helens and he was employed as a "glass drawer" in a sheet glass works; I assume Pilkingtons?

If he was a "Pilks" man, there maybe an entry for him in "The Cullet".

Many thanks for your help.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

I have spent several hours in St Helens library looking for mention of the award of the MM to Spr Pickavance with no luck!

Any thoughts?

Season's greetings to all!

Mark

[daggers]

Have you tried the 55th Division (Maj-Gen Jeudwine's) archive at the Record Office? There are some recommendations for awards included in those files.

Daggers

[Mark Abbott]

Have you tried the 55th Division (Maj-Gen Jeudwine's) archive at the Record Office? There are some recommendations for awards included in those files.

Daggers

Hello Richard,

I have a copy of most of the archive. Pickavance's citation is amongst those that have survived but sadly, nothing seems to have been reported in the St Helens papers.


Mark